Just before departure, an old eunuch from Changle Palace suddenly arrived at Zhaoyang Palace with an imperial edict from Empress Dowager Zhang.

At this moment, Xiao Xuan was still in the Changxin Hall discussing state affairs with his ministers.

The old eunuch was a favorite of Empress Zhang and a highly respected elder in the palace. Even Eunuch Zhuang, who had always been favored, had to give him some face.

Having not stepped into the East Palace for a long time, the old eunuch only remembered that the East Palace used to be filled with eunuchs and guards.

Now that the Crown Prince is keeping a mistress in the Zhaoyang Palace, the atmosphere is indeed different from before.

He saw the swing that Xiao Xuan had personally ordered to be made for Ning Yin, and also saw several fruit trees that had just been transplanted not long ago.

Before anyone even stepped into the courtyard, they could hear clear, resonant laughter coming from inside the hall.

He had never met Ning Yin before, and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of extraordinary woman she was that could make the cold-hearted Crown Prince fall so deeply in love with her.

In fact, Empress Dowager Zhang also felt sorry for her grandson. When the emperor told her the general situation, she initially found it hard to accept.

Throughout history, no crown princess has ever come from a merchant family, which is fine, but Ning Yin is also Shen Yun's ex-wife.

Her grandson is such a handsome, intelligent, and noble man, why would he fall for a woman like this?

Previously, she had wanted to invite people to Chang Le Palace to learn proper etiquette and hierarchy, but Xiao Xuan wouldn't allow anyone to set foot in the East Palace, including the people from Chang Le Palace.

Recently, the guards at the Eastern Palace have been slightly lax, which allowed the old eunuch to enter Zhaoyang Palace smoothly.

When the old eunuch finally saw Ningyin, he wondered if he was seeing things, that there could be such a beautiful person in the world.

No wonder even Xiao Xuan, who is usually indifferent to women, found it hard to resist.

The old eunuch carefully examined Ning Yin before explaining his purpose.

Empress Dowager Zhang will also be attending this flower festival, and she wants Ningyin to accompany her.

Firstly, it was to give Ning Yin a warning and make her understand that even if she had climbed up to the Crown Prince, she still had to know etiquette and hierarchy.

Secondly, she also wanted to test what methods Ning Yin had used to get her grandson to protect her so much.

In the imperial harem, the most taboo thing has always been favoritism. It was one thing for an emperor to be so absurd in the past, but she absolutely could not let her grandson follow in his footsteps.

The Crown Prince needed a woman who could help him consolidate his power, not a pretty but empty-headed woman. Ning Yin's status was simply not good enough for him.

Unfortunately, her grandson was fond of her, so she could only make slight concessions. She was willing to be a concubine, but to become the principal wife, she would have to die…

When the royal procession arrived at the Peony Garden, the general's carriage was already parked outside the courtyard.

With the help of an old eunuch, Empress Dowager Zhang slowly stepped down from the carriage, and Ning Yin followed closely behind, keeping pace with her.

When Consort Chen lifted the curtain, she saw that Ning Yin, that vixen, had also come along. While feeling contempt, she also felt that Empress Dowager Zhang had benefited from her, yet she was not allowed to ride in the same carriage.

That's fine, but why should a woman of such low status like Ning Yin be allowed to do this? She gritted her teeth and quickly followed.

This was Ningyin's first time stepping outside the palace gates since entering the palace, and also her first time having such close contact with the Empress Dowager.

Although Empress Dowager Zhang was seventy-eight years old, her demeanor and temperament were superb, and every word and action carried the majesty of a superior.

Especially those sharp, phoenix-shaped eyes, which always give people the feeling of being extremely shrewd and calculating.

When the group entered the garden, Madam Wang was discussing a green peony with Wang Yuan, and the two were having a very pleasant conversation.

With her back to Empress Dowager Zhang and the others, Wang Yuan had already noticed the elderly woman at the head of the group, whose demeanor was dignified and elegant, and whose temperament was outstanding.

Even a fool could guess that the person was the current Empress Dowager. Then she shifted her gaze to the back and saw that the person behind her was wearing a satin dress with auspicious cloud patterns. Although her attire was not as eye-catching as that of the other women.

But when she saw Ning Yin's face, Wang Yuan, as a woman, couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Such a face was truly something I had never seen before. Even the daughter of the Marquis's family who was by Shen Yun's bedside last time paled in comparison.

Wang Yuan fidgeted with the hem of her clothes, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

She specially wore the brocade peony dress that Wang had given her to attend the flower festival today, hoping to stand out among the other women.

She had just heard from other noble ladies that several princes might also be coming today.

Wang Yuan initially compared her appearance with that of other noble ladies and felt that they were nothing special.

But now that she saw Ning Yin, she realized what true beauty was.

While feeling displeased, she also prepared herself for how she would behave in front of the Empress Dowager later.

Although the weather is quite pleasant today, the sun is blazing, and the Empress Dowager's skin seems to be slightly sweaty. I'll go over and offer her an umbrella in a bit; perhaps that will make her take better care of herself.

As she thought about it, Empress Dowager Zhang and her entourage were almost upon her. Wang Yuan turned to Wang Shi and asked, "Aunt, is that the current Empress Dowager?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's expression brightened, and she quickly turned around. She saw Empress Dowager Zhang walking over, with Ning Yin being blocked behind several people. She didn't notice her. Madam Wang nodded to Wang Yuan.

"Yes, it's the Empress Dowager. Quickly step aside and pay your respects. Although the Empress Dowager respects me, she is the ruler and we are her subjects. We must be mindful of our manners."

While instructing Wang Yuan, Wang Shi stepped aside, lifted her skirt, and knelt on the ground, which Wang Yuan did in return.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Concubine, and the Consort Xian."

With her head bowed, Madam Wang greeted several people she knew in one go. Later, she also thought about currying favor with Empress Dowager Zhang, hoping that Empress Dowager Zhang would be pleased and plead with the Emperor to return her position as the chief minister and Shen Yun's military tally to the Shen family.

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